Prophecy Unravelled- Heir Series Box Set

by Rin Grey

  That was probably a good thing.

  Whatever had possessed her to tell him that the man she was seeing was Jon’s father? Anyone with half a brain could see the resemblance between Sean and his son. Digger could hardly miss that this was the man they’d been discussing.

  How was she ever going to explain this to him?

  “Prince Veryn, the boy appears to have all the necessary skills,” the Academy mage’s soft voice interrupted her tumultuous thoughts.

  Sean stepped away from the wall, nodding. He walked across to Mitch and asked quietly, “Do you have a sword?”

  Mitch quelled under his question, despite the fact that Sean’s voice was unexpectedly soft, and glanced over at Elizabeth.

  She stepped forwards and handed him her sword, hilt first. “I trust this one will suffice, Prince Veryn?”

  She met his eyes, and for a moment a spark passed between them, setting her whole body on fire despite her attempt to quell it.

  Sean nodded. “That will do perfectly, Mage Salinga. Thank you.”

  Elizabeth gave Mitch what she hoped was a reassuring look and stepped back. There was no way she could help him through this, he had to do it alone.

  So she simply stood just inside the doorway, watching.

  Not that she could see much. The magical illusions for this test were directed at the participants, not outsiders, so all she could see was Sean and Mitch’s actual actions. She held her breath every time Sean swung his sword, every bit as strong as her own, towards Mitch, and only let it out when her grandson blocked or ducked.

  It was no contest of course. Sean was holding back, or Mitch wouldn’t stand a chance. Sean wouldn’t hurt him, Elizabeth never doubted that. But she hoped, for his own sake, that Mitch would fare well in the test.

  She didn’t even realise Digger had come back into the room until he said conversationally next to her, “The family resemblance is quite striking, isn’t it?”

  Elizabeth glanced over at the mages standing on the other side of the room, but they were intent on what Sean was doing, and she didn’t think they could overhear the conversation. “Yes, it’s quite obvious, isn’t it?”

  “I take it you didn’t expect to see him?”

  “Not even remotely. I would have thought a minor matter like this was far beneath his attention.”

  “So he’s here to see you?”

  That was the same conclusion she’d come to. If Jon had told Sean he’d let the cat out of the bag about Sean’s marriage, it made sense that he’d come to… to what? To convince her it was unimportant? To see what her reaction was?

  She had no idea, but Digger was right. There had to be a reason. “I guess so.”

  Digger was silent, and she steeled herself for a glance at him. He was staring at Sean, his expression a mix of hopelessness and disappointment. He glanced up, and when he saw her looking at him, said, “I think perhaps I’d better make myself scarce. I’m just in the way here.”

  Elizabeth reached out and put a hand on his arm. “It’s not like that.”

  “Well it sure feels like it,” Digger said bitterly.

  “What do you think I’m going to do? Ask him to stay the night? Nothing is going to happen, Digger.”

  Digger hesitated, then asked quietly, “You don’t want me to go?”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, if you’re not here, there isn’t anything to stop me going with him if he asks me.”

  “Isn’t that what you want?” Digger asked in surprise.

  Elizabeth hesitated, but she’d promised him the truth. And she owed him that much at least.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “A few days ago, maybe. But now that I know he has a wife…” She trailed off, not even sure what she was trying to say. Her feelings were so mixed up that she didn’t know them herself.

  Digger hesitated, and Elizabeth didn’t push. She shouldn’t be asking. She wouldn’t ask again. She just hoped that he would choose to stay without any further convincing.

  Finally he sighed. “All right. I’ll stay.”

  Some of the turmoil in her heart stilled. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  Neither of them said anything more, just stood there, staring at Mitch and Sean locked in a hidden battle.

  Elizabeth winced as Sean brought down his sword with enough force to push through Mitch’s inexperienced guard.

  Any other sword would have split, but Elizabeth’s held.

  It was Mitch’s arm that gave way.

  She heard Digger gasp beside her and move as if to intercept, but she put her hand on his arm. He stared at her and opened his mouth to say something, then shut it again.

  Elizabeth didn’t take her eyes off Mitch. Sean’s sword flashed down. Mitch’s magic blazed out brightly, and Elizabeth held her breath.

  Mitch formed a shield between himself and the sword, and Elizabeth let out the breath. His shield held and Sean pulled back.

  Then it was over. Sean held out his hand to help Mitch to his feet. “Congratulations, Mitchell Salinga. You have done well.”

  High praise from him, even though he had neglected to include the usual honorary title of mage. Since Mitch wasn’t, and never would be, a citizen of Linarra, maybe it didn’t apply?

  Mitch looked a little dazed, but he managed to keep his feet. “Thank you, sir.”

  Mitchell glanced over to the doorway where Gemma was beaming proudly at him.

  Sean bent and retrieved Elizabeth’s fallen sword and walked across the room to return it to her, hilt first. “You have also done an excellent job, Mage Salinga.”

  “Thank you, Prince Veryn, but it was no challenge. Mitchell was an excellent student.” This time she managed to keep her voice even. It helped that she had something legitimate to discuss. She truly was proud that Mitch had passed. Now that Sean had verified it, she had no reason to doubt it.

  Sean nodded as though he expected no less. He didn’t even glance towards Digger, who remained at Elizabeth’s side, despite his earlier reservations.

  Gemma congratulated Mitch again, then came across to where Elizabeth and Sean stood.

  There was nothing for it but to introduce them, even though it felt surreal. “Gemma, this is Prince Veryn. Prince Veryn, my daughter Gemma.”

  Digger, thankfully, stayed quiet, and Elizabeth didn’t offer up his name. That introduction would have been too uncomfortable.

  “I wanted to say thank you, Prince Veryn, for allowing my son to leave the Dome,” Gemma said quietly.

  “I’m afraid you’ve been misinformed, Miss Salinga. I had nothing to do with your son’s return to Asherad. In fact, I was opposed to it. Unfortunately I was outvoted.” Sean’s tone was polite, but rather disinterested.

  Elizabeth hid a wince. Had he really been opposed to Mitch’s return, or was he just being rude?

  She wouldn’t put either past him.

  Just another reason why she should keep her distance. She shouldn’t let her emotions be clouded by his closeness.

  Why was it so hard?

  Gemma looked taken aback, and Elizabeth stepped in to fill the awkward silence. “None the less, we both thank you for taking the time to come here and carry out Mitch’s formal testing.”

  Sean inclined his head. “All part of the job description, Mage Salinga. And unfortunately I have many more tasks to see to today, so I will have to take my leave. But before I go, may I have a few moments of your time?”

  She was tempted to say no. She should have said no. Digger’s presence at her side reminded her of that, as she’d intended. But the academy mages’ presence stilled her tongue. To refuse even a request from a prince just wasn’t done. And what if he actually did want to talk about Mitch’s training?

  Kicking herself for even pretending to believe that, she found herself murmuring, “Of course, Prince Veryn.”

  Sean ushered her out the front door and closed it firmly behind them. He turned to the two Academy mages. “You may return to
the Dome.”

  It was clear that they were curious, but both bowed respectfully and winked out of sight.

  The breeze ruffled Elizabeth’s hair, drying the perspiration she hadn’t even been aware of until that moment.

  “Hugo is right, you know. You’d be an asset to the Academy,” Sean started conversationally.

  “Thank you, Prince Veryn, but I have more than enough to occupy me here,” Elizabeth said politely, determined to keep this distant, professional.

  “Beth?” Just one word.

  She had hardened her heart, prepared for his arguments, his excuses, even his persuasions, but that one word disarmed her completely. She could almost feel the defences she’d built around her heart melting.

  “Don’t. Please.”

  “Don’t I at least get a chance to explain myself?”

  “You have no need to explain yourself to me,” Elizabeth said. “There was never anything but a casual fling between us, that has always been clear.”

  Except it hadn’t. Especially not after what he’d said last time.

  It was like a punch to the gut. That had made it worse. She’d let herself think he cared, when in reality, nothing had changed.

  Just like her and Digger.

  Sean was about to say something, but she interrupted before he could even begin. “Look, Sean, perhaps it is better this way. Better that we just enjoy what we had and not try to turn it into something it isn’t.”

  “How will we know what it is or isn’t, if we don’t give it a chance?”

  Why? Why was he even pretending that he wanted something more?

  And why did she even let herself hope?

  “I think we’ve given it enough chances already. Nothing’s changed. Nothing will. It’s time I just accepted that.”

  “Beth, we need to discuss this, but this isn’t the place,” Sean said firmly.

  “There isn’t anything more to say.”

  “Come to my house, here in Asherad, tonight.”

  “I can’t, Sean.” Elizabeth’s words were firm, but her heart wavered. “I have responsibilities, and people here who care about me, and I’m not about to disappoint them again.”

  Was she trying to convince him, or herself?

  Sean shrugged. “Come after they’re asleep. Bounce off the Dome, if you have to. But I think you owe me at least the chance to explain. If you still feel that there is nothing to say, then I’ll accept that. But I won’t leave things like this.”

  His expression was grim and determined. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

  It would be easier just to agree and listen to his explanation. Then she could at least say she’d given it a chance.

  She tried to ignore the small sliver of her heart that still hoped he had one. That still wanted to believe. She couldn’t afford to let that flicker catch alight.

  “I don’t know when I’ll be able to get away,” she warned.

  “Come when you can. I’ll meet you there.”

  “All right,” she agreed grudgingly.

  Sean took a step towards her, and for a moment she wondered if he was going to kiss her, here in Gemma’s front yard. Her heart thudded in her chest and she wondered, if he did, if she could bring herself to refuse him.

  Before she could make up her mind, he brushed one finger gently across her cheek, then winked out of sight.

  Elizabeth stared at the space where he had been, wavering between hoping he actually had a reasonable explanation for being married and deciding she was stupid for having agreed to meet him at all.

  *****

  Digger found it hard to pay attention to anything that was said after Elizabeth left the room with the prince from the Dome. Gemma hugged Mitch again, eyes shining, and Digger turned away to move some of the furniture back in place, needing something to occupy his hands at least, if nothing else.

  Gemma and Mitch came to help, Gemma grabbing the other side of the rug as Digger unrolled it.

  “I wonder what the mage wants to talk to Elizabeth about?” she said in concern.

  “I have no idea.” Digger’s voice came out more curt than he had intended. He deliberately softened it as he added, “For a prince, he seems totally lacking in manners.”

  “Yes, he does rather. I’m glad he was overruled in the decision about Mitch. I hope he isn’t giving Elizabeth a hard time.” She glanced over at the window, apprehension in her voice.

  “I’m sure Elizabeth can handle it.”

  He wasn’t so sure he could.

  They’d returned most of the furniture to its places by the time Elizabeth returned to the room. Gemma put the vase of flowers back on the coffee table and looked around her in satisfaction, then up at Elizabeth. “What did the prince want to talk to you about? He isn’t trying to take Mitch back to the Dome, is he?”

  Mitch looked alarmed at the thought, and Digger berated himself for not realising Gemma’s fear sooner. He could have found some way to reassure her, since he was pretty sure the prince didn’t give a damn about Mitch.

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No, not at all, Gemma. The decision is made, it can’t be reversed now. Don’t worry about it.”

  “What did he want then?” Gemma asked again.

  Elizabeth hesitated, and Digger turned away so that he didn’t have to watch her making up an excuse.

  “He offered me a teaching position at the Academy.”

  Digger spun back around at Elizabeth’s quiet words and stared at her in disbelief.

  “You’re not going, are you?” Gemma asked uncertainly. “I mean, I know Mitch’s training is finished, but you’re still the heir, right?”

  Digger waited with bated breath, relieved when Elizabeth shook her head without hesitation. “No, I’m not going. The king made me the same offer, and I said no to him as well. My place is here right now.”

  Gemma looked relieved, and that was the end of the conversation as far as she was concerned.

  Digger wished he could dismiss it as easily, but he couldn’t help thinking that one day, Elizabeth wasn’t going to say no.

  “Well, I think we need some sort of celebration after all that,” Gemma said with a smile.

  “I thought we already celebrated enough last night?” Elizabeth laughed.

  “No,” Gemma said firmly. “We need to do something special today.”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “Well, I need to buy a new sword for Digger. Perhaps Mitch needs one too, since he’s a fully qualified mage now?”

  Gemma looked unconvinced, and was about to say something when she caught sight of Mitch’s face. “Can I, Mum?” he asked eagerly.

  Gemma looked from his excited face to Elizabeth’s unapologetic, grinning one and threw up her hands. “As if I have a choice? All right, we’ll all go.”

  So all four of them headed down to the market to look at the swords. Digger was tempted to cry off but could come up with no excuse that wouldn’t disappoint Mitch and cause questions, so he tagged along, even if his heart wasn’t in it.

  Elizabeth slipped her hand into his and squeezed it. “Are you all right?” she asked quietly as Mitch dragged his mother ahead to the weaponsmith.

  “Not really. What really happened out there?”

  He couldn’t help himself, he had to know.

  “That was it. He said I’d be an asset to the Academy, and I said no.”

  “That’s all?”

  Elizabeth’s hesitation was telling. “Pretty much,” she said.

  Digger sighed and pulled his hand out of hers, ready to walk right then. Let Elizabeth be the one to make excuses to Gemma.

  She put a hand on his arm. “He wanted to talk to me, to try to convince me to ignore the fact that he’s married.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing. I wasn’t in the mood to listen.”

  Digger hesitated, searching her face. He suspected there was something more, but he wasn’t really sure how far he wanted to dig right now.

  They arrived at the weaponsmith sta
ll then, and any thoughts Digger had were drowned out by Mitch’s excited chatter about all the different swords.

  The stallholder took one look at the elaborate sword at Elizabeth’s hip and pulled out his best weapons for them. Despite his protests, Elizabeth bought Digger a far more expensive sword than the one that had been broken, and she bestowed on Mitch a plain, unassuming, yet well made sword, which the weaponsmith promised to make to measure and deliver next week.

  Mitch walked home on a cloud, and Digger couldn’t help but smile. He let Elizabeth hold his hand and decided to ignore the events of the morning. At least for now.

  Chapter 7 - Excuses

  Elizabeth lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, alternating between deciding to ignore Sean’s invitation and desperately wanting to know what he had to say. Was there anything he could say to make this better?

  He’d only just come back into her life, and for the last twenty years she’d been hoping for a reconciliation. Despite the difficulties, she was reluctant to let that go, especially since it might lower her chances of seeing Jon again.

  She just hadn’t expected it to be like this.

  Everything was more complicated now. Being reunited with her daughter and grandson, her relationship with Digger—both brought stability to her life that she hadn’t had in a very long time. And she wasn’t quite ready to give that up.

  Maybe Sean’s marriage was an indication that now was a bad time for her to be with him?

  And yet the thought of giving him up was too hard to bear.

  From his invitation, he obviously didn’t see his marriage as an impediment to a relationship, so why should she?

  Elizabeth bit back a sigh. Clearly, she needed to at least go talk to him. She wasn’t going to be able to let any of this go until she did.

  She glanced over at Digger, wondering how long she should wait to be sure he was definitely asleep. A twinge of guilt stabbed at her for even thinking of sneaking out after she’d promised to be honest with him. But going to hear what Sean said didn’t automatically mean anything more.

  Yeah, right.

  Elizabeth heaved a sigh.

  Digger’s breathing had slowed, and Elizabeth risked raising herself on her elbow and looking down at him. He didn’t stir with her movement. She hesitated for a moment before resting her hand on his arm. Again he slept on, oblivious, so she sent a sliver of magic into his body, checking.